Dr. N. K. Venkataramana is a reputed neurosurgeon in the country and has more than 30 years of experience. He has performed more than 25,000 neurosurgical operations in the past 30 years. He is a pioneer in pediatric neurosurgery, neuro trauma, stereotactic and endoscopic surgeries and has achieved several breakthroughs in Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and cerebral palsy using stem cells. He has published several scientific papers and has been recognized with several awards. He is the President for Pediatric neurosurgery He served as former President of Indian Society of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery. He is the founder of the “Dhanvantari Trust” established for the free medical needs of the patients. He has many academic distinctions to his credit and has 45 publications in reputed journals and chapters in various text books. He is editor-in-chief of Cerebro Vascular Sciences Journal of India. He plays an active role in various Scientific Societies of the Country in Neurosurgery. He has conducted several CME programmes, delivered invited lectures and orations at National and International levels.

Message by Dr. N. K. Venkataramana

“Over centuries our understanding of the brain has improved significantly. Yet the organ remains shrouded in mystery and evokes a great deal of curiosity from people of all ages, from the young to the very old. Everyone, regardless of age, wishes to have an intact memory and alert mind. With the emergence of new technologies, several neurological conditions have been diagnosed but many of these continue to defy cure. In comparison to other diseases, there is a disproportionate number of such neurological conditions. Being incurable, they place a significant burden on society resulting in economic stress that adds up to one percent of global GDP. This is particularly back breaking for emerging economies like India, where health care systems are already over-stretched.
Meanwhile, organ transplantation has become a reality but for the brain it still remains in the realm of science fiction. Now however, neuroscientists have realized that this need not necessarily be so and it is indeed possible to regenerate parts of the brain paving the way for regenerative medicine. Such belief is based on the latest breakthroughs in stem cell research. After all, every human entity originally starts as a single cell.
Scientists have succeeded in tracing the path of development and tracking down THE CELL that forms different organs - Stem Cells. Today we are able to isolate culture and multiply these human cells in the laboratory for research and possible clinical applications. Through many years of experience, I have been able to understand the problems facing neurosciences, identify clinical priorities and propose possible approaches for validation. These approaches factor in the perspectives of academia and industry and an understanding of the importance of the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries for addressing the current unmet medical needs.
Indeed, this was my motivation to interact with basic scientists and involve them in the process of clinically oriented research, which would ensure solutions that could translate into hope for issues that are clinically incurable. Such translation requires reasonable understanding of the disease mechanisms and the application of relevant research methodologies that balance all influences including clinical, scientific, regulatory, ethical and financial.
Over the last fifteen years working with messenchymal stem cells has given me a tremendous opportunity to understand their clinical possibilities, which can offer hope to people stricken with metabolic and degenerative conditions. Traditional macro neurosurgery has evolved into micro, endo, nano and molecular neurosurgery. ‘Cellular Neurosurgery’ seems to be an elegant approach that will benefit several incurable neurological conditions, in addition to preserving the integrity of brain tissue, promoting brain regeneration and even addressing problems related to aging.
Stem cells can be harvested from individuals leading to personalized and customized therapies. The current advances are so exciting that soon we be able to offer not only hope but also make the blind see, deaf hear, dumb speak and the paralyzed walk.”

Dr Shobha Venkat is a senior consultant in Obstetrics and Gynecology with 20 years of experience. Currently a Senior Consultant at Cloud Nine Hospital Bangalore as well visiting Consultant for Manipal Hospitals. She has extensive experience in obstetrics and gynecology with special expertise in High Risk Pregnancy, Gynecological Endoscopy and Gynecological Endocrinology. A graduate in MBBS from the reputed Bangalore Medical College, Bangalore University she has also received her Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology (DGO) from Grant Medical College, Mumbai University. Subsequently, she received her Diplomate of National Board (DNB). As a member of the Bangalore Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, she actively contributes and shares her knowledge.

She is also a Member of the Indian Menopausal Society and an Associate Member of RCOG. She has experience training DNB, undergraduate and nursing students. In addition to imparting knowledge to her students, she is actively involved in continuing medical education programmes. Dr Shobha Venkat has attended many conferences and has got many awards to her credit. Known for her outstanding ability to provide care with a holistic approach and treating her patient as a physical, emotional, and social being.

Sunder Raju is the Director of Atria Power, the flagship company of the Atria group. Mr. Raju sets the direction for Atria management committee, plays a pivotal role in strategizing the growth area for the group. He holds a Masters in Computer Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara and has a rich experience in a wide array of industries. He was a key player in setting up Sunray Computers in 1981, the first Indian company to introduce concepts of 32-bit architecture in UNIX OS.

His endeavors under the Atria Group include ventures in Power, Hospitality, Real estate, Education and Information Technology.

He is the Hon. Secretary of the State Lawn Tennis Association, Karnataka and was instrumental in transforming this Association into putting up Infrastructure of International standard and hosting a World Legends Tournament and ATP World Doubles.

He has received Eminent Engineer recognition award from the Institution of Engineers in 2013.

Mr. Sunder Raju has been nominated to the Prime Minister’s Sectoral Innovation Council to deliver a road map for innovation and create an eco-system for inclusive growth & development in the social sector.